With Week 9 of the NFL regular season in the books, more and more attention is gearing toward the 2024 NFL Draft. The quarterback discourse is running rampant as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and others jockey for position in a loaded class. Between J.J. McCarthy, Quinn Ewers, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix, there are upwards of half a dozen signal-callers in play for Day 1. This mock draft sees most of those names taken early on.
Rams Get A Quarterback, Giants Get A Quarterback — Everyone Gets A Quarterback
Elsewhere, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Olu Fashanu grade out as blue-chip prospects on my Big Board; both should hear their name called within the first five selections next Spring. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse, and Jer’Zhan Newton headline an impressive defensive pool of players, too.
As of today, using the current order on Tankathon, the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants hold all the power. Will the franchises stick by quarterbacks Justin Fields, Kyler Murray, and Daniel Jones? Or will the allure of Williams and Maye be too much to pass up? In our latest mock draft, we have answers to these questions!
Up first, the Bears are on the clock. And with Fields likely to return to the field in Week 11, let’s imagine a scenario where the Chicago regime stands pat with its current QB1. In this instance, the No. 1 overall selection could be auctioned off at an unprecedented price.
A Trade Kicks Off This Mock Draft In Exciting Fashion: Drake Maye Heads To Hollywood
No. 1: Los Angeles Rams (via CHI) — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Rams fly up the board to land a long-term successor to veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Drake Maye is making a strong case for the QB1 mantle, as the Tar Heel star boasts ideal size, pinpoint accuracy, and plenty of arm strength to be a high-end starter on Sundays.
Another Trade Shakes Up The NFC Landscape As Caleb Williams Lands With Giants
No. 2: New York Giants (via ARI) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Another trade occurs, with the Giants moving up for Caleb Williams. Daniel Jones’ time as the starter will end after the 2024 campaign, giving the USC superstar enough time to acclimate to the NFL before taking the reins. Williams’ arm talent is remarkable, and his creativity outside the pocket is video game stuff.
The Cardinals Trade Down, Still Secure Marvin Harrison Jr.
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals (via NYG) — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
After trading down one spot, the Cardinals still land the prize of the 2024 NFL Draft. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best prospect available, regardless of position, thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame and polished route running. Kyler Murray gets a superstar pass catcher in this mock draft.
No. 4: New England Patriots — Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State
After struggling to find a bonafide starter at left tackle over the years, the Patriots snag the best available lineman at No. 4 overall. Olu Fashanu is an immediate starter on the blindside, boasting the size, speed, and strength to protect whoever lines up under center next season in New England.
No. 5: Chicago Bears — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
The Bears made a league-altering move by trading a second-round pick for Montez Sweat. While many assume this move took Chicago out of the pass-rushing discussion in Round 1, I disagree. Pairing Laiatu Latu, on a rookie deal, with the uber-expensive Sweat is the best way for the front office to use its resources.
No. 6: Chicago Bears (via LAR) — Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Sure, the Bears traded a lucrative pick for Sweat, but they recouped that value — and more — in a trade down with the Rams. Now, after adding Latu, the offense gets a stud playmaker in Brock Bowers. The Georgia tight end would give Justin Fields another go-to option alongside D.J. Moore.
No. 7: Green Bay Packers — Joe Alt, OL, Notre Dame
The Packers cannot rely on the current batch of starters to stay healthy, so drafting Joe Alt makes too much sense not to happen. Alt can be the long-term replacement for David Bakhtiari at left tackle with his polished technique and impressive length on the outside.
J.J. McCarthy Takes His Talents To Tampa Bay In Latest Mock Draft
No. 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Buccaneers have received solid play from Baker Mayfield in 2023, but that won’t stop them from seeking a higher-upside option in this mock draft. J.J. McCarthy is an ascending signal-caller, using his God-given physical traits and improving processing to propel his draft stock into top-10 pick status.
No. 9: Denver Broncos — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Patrick Surtain II, a former Alabama standout, is already one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Adding a fellow Crimson Tide alum, Kool-Aid McKinstry, would immediately make Denver a no-fly zone. McKinstry excels in press coverage, but his time in Tuscaloosa has transformed him into a scheme-versatile player at the next level.
No. 10: Tennessee Titans — J.C. Latham, OL, Alabama
Let’s assume the Titans roll with Will Levis for the 2024 regular season. Upgrading the offensive line around Levis will take precedence, with J.C. Latham serving as the perfect choice. Latham will start from the jump in Nashville.
No. 11: Atlanta Falcons — Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Falcons benched Desmond Ridder last week, and no matter how much Arthur Smith tries to deflect, the writing is on the wall. A new quarterback is needed. Michael Penix Jr. displays top-tier arm strength and underrated ball placement on passes downfield.
No. 12: Washington Commanders — Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Jared Verse arrives to the Nation’s capital as a replacement for the recently traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Verse has the power and motor to be a sack threat on every snap. His prowess as a run defender makes the Florida State star a legitimate Day 1 prospect.
No. 13: Indianapolis Colts — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Anthony Richardson’s development is the most important thing for the Colts. In 2024, Richardson could have a weaponry group of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Jonathan Taylor, and Malik Nabers. Nabers is over 1,000 yards for LSU this season, highlighting the type of production he can bring to an NFL offense.
Raiders Continue The Quarterback Run With A High-Upside Signal-Caller Of Their Own
No. 14: Las Vegas Raiders — Cam Ward, QB, Washington State
The Raiders might stick with Aidan O’Connell next year, but odds are, the new regime will want its own guy behind center. Cam Ward is raw — there’s no denying it. However, the Wazzu signal-caller has shown steady improvement since initially being a zero-star recruit. Ward has arm talent that Vegas fans haven’t witnessed in quite some time.
No. 15: Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) — Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Head coach Jonathan Gannon went with an offensive weapon earlier in the mock draft, but the defensive specialist gets his building block on the other side of the ball here. Dallas Turner gets into the backfield with ease, using flawless hand usage and a nice burst to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
No. 16: New York Jets — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Ideally, the Jets would prioritize beefing up the offensive line. Unfortunately, the top three offensive tackles are off the board, forcing New York to pivot elsewhere. Keon Coleman would thrive opposite Garrett Wilson. Coleman’s contested catch ability meshes perfectly with Wilson’s chain-moving skillset.
No. 17: Los Angeles Chargers — Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
The Chargers have fielded a league-worst run defense more often than not in the past decade. Jer’Zhan Newton can change that immediately. Newton flexes rare traits for an interior defender, as the Illinois product is always disrupting running lanes and clearing paths for his pass rushers off the edge. Joey Bosa is already smiling.
No. 18: Buffalo Bills — Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Cooper DeJean can play cornerback or safety in the NFL, which is exactly what the Bills need. Both starting safeties are north of 30 years old, and the cornerback room, to put it mildly, is a mess. DeJean kills two birds with one stone, thanks to one-of-one athleticism and instincts.
No. 19: New Orleans Saints — Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Saints can go any direction in Round 1, but Graham Barton is a no-brainer to me. Barton can play all five positions on the offensive line and has All-Pro potential once he picks a spot and sticks with it.
No. 20: Minnesota Vikings — T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
T’Vondre Sweat is a “my guy” in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Texas Longhorn checks in around the 360-pound mark, and somehow, he plays even bigger than that. The Vikings' defense is playing well under Brian Flores, but the roster lacks a player with Sweat’s ability from the interior.
Cowboys Must Add More Juice At Wide Receiver — Enter Rome Odunze
No. 21: Dallas Cowboys — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Cowboys need more from the wide receiver position outside CeeDee Lamb. Rome Odunze is a better athlete than Lamb but shows the same contested-catch prowess and boasts an even better frame. Plus, Odunze is a freak with the ball in his hands.
No. 22: Pittsburgh Steelers — Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Joey Porter Jr. has seized the CB1 role on the roster. His former Nittany Lion teammate, Kalen King, will likely come off the board earlier than JPJ. That’s fine — the Steelers happily take King at No. 22 in this mock draft. Reunited, and it feels so good.
No. 23: Houston Texans (via CLE) — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Texans went all out for Will Anderson Jr. at the 2023 NFL Draft. Still, added reinforcements are needed for the DeMeco Ryans-led unit. Chop Robinson could give Houston a second double-digit sack artist alongside Anderson Jr.
No. 24: Cincinnati Bengals — Taliese Fuaga, OL, Oregon State
Taliese Fuaga is amongst the biggest risers to this point of the 2024 NFL Draft cycle. The Bengals' offensive line still stinks, so a potential selection of Fuaga is in the cards. The Oregon State alum bulldozes his assignments in the run game and has the footwork necessary to be an above-average pass blocker, too.
No. 25: Seattle Seahawks — Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
When healthy, the Seahawks' offensive line has multiple Pro Bowl-caliber pieces. However, the injury bug continues biting Seattle. By drafting Cooper Beebe, the roster gets insurance at the tackle position and an instant starter at guard. He is as refined as they come.
No. 26: San Francisco 49ers — Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Niners have a well-oiled machine, but the defensive secondary would improve mightily with a true building block at cornerback. Nate Wiggins excels in man-to-man coverage and shows the reaction time and acceleration to be a zone coverage defender as well.
Mike McDaniel Finds Another Cheat Code On Day 1 Of Mock Draft
No. 27: Miami Dolphins — Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Xavier Legette with Mike McDaniel, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane? Somebody call the cops. Legette can serve as the Deebo Samuel of McDaniel’s scheme — a player the Dolphins' head coach is all too familiar with. The rich get richer.
No. 28: Jacksonville Jaguars — Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia
The Jaguars must protect Trevor Lawrence as the former No. 1 overall pick enters the prime of his career. Amarius Mims might be long gone by No. 28 overall, with his blue-chip potential on the blindside. However, Mims is dealing with a lower-body injury that could force a draft day slide, depending on medicals. Jacksonville benefits.
No. 29: Detroit Lions — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
General manager Brad Holmes is never shy to take the best player available, regardless of position. Emeka Egbuka is that guy at this stage of the mock draft. Egbuka isn’t quite the prospect that Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson were, but his polished route running and reliable hands will allow the Buckeye wideout to stick in an NFL offense.
No. 30: Baltimore Ravens — J.T. Tuimoloau, DL, Ohio State
Speaking of Ohio State, J.T. Tuimoloau is a polarizing prospect in NFL Draft circles. When locked in, JTT is as good as any defender in the class. When he’s merely going through the motions, it’s hard to sell Tuimoloau as a Round 1 player. At No. 30 overall, the Ravens see it as a worthwhile risk, getting a guy capable of being an every-down star in the right setting.
No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Paul, OL, Houston
The Chiefs attempted to retool the offensive tackle position with the signings of Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor. The return on investment has been fine, but it would be wise for Kansas City to target Patrick Paul. The Houston veteran’s ceiling is substantially higher than Smith's.
No. 32: Philadelphia Eagles — Kamren Kinchens, DB, Miami
The Eagles made a blockbuster trade by acquiring veteran safety Kevin Byard. The two-time first-team All-Pro is under contract for at least the 2024 season, which would give Kamren Kinchens time to ease in. The Miami defender plays with reckless abandon as a tackler and flashes natural reaction instincts when patrolling his zone in coverage.